How Spending Time with God Can Change Your Life

In a previous post I talked about a habit that can have a powerful influence on your life. I wanted to show you more of what this habit can do for you, so I asked some of my friends and family to share what they’ve experienced from spending time with God. Their stories were so encouraging, and I hope they inspire you as they do me!

What happens when you spend time with God?

“I write my prayers each night after I do my Bible study. One great benefit to me was looking back over my prayer journal at the end of this past year and seeing all the great things God was doing.”

Marilyn Nesbitt -(my mom 🙂 )

“Spending time studying God’s Word is how we get to know Him. It’s amazing to think He is speaking to us through His Word. It’s my source of strength. Prayer time is a huge blessing! As I witness answers to prayer my faith is increased. He also gives guidance as we talk with Him. What a privilege to be able to talk with our heavenly Father!”

“I always struggled with that when anyone would ask about my devotional time. I’d hem and haw and make excuses. But I have been giving that time to God (at least an hour every morning) for a couple years now and it has changed my life drastically. If all believers could only grasp what a huge difference it makes in your faith walk to be consistent in this think of the power the church would be. I was a pastor’s kid until by age 9, my Father left his pastorate. It’s a long story. But I grew up in a Christian home where the daily presence of God was neither practiced or preached. Coming of age in that was very odd. I believed myself a “Christian” because I had been baptized but I really never knew Christ. When I was 29 Christ waltzed into my world, drew me to Himself, and turned my world upside down. I spent the first five years after conversion getting “educated” in the faith and doctrine, and the next five unlearning everything I saw in the Church….It wasn’t until I began to really read the words of other believers…and see how their words lined up with scripture, that I began to grow. I don’t bash on the Church, because I AM part of it. But if ALL believers, i.e. THE CHURCH, would get a handle on this one thing–DAILY walking with God and talking to Him, oh, what could we do??? My heart aches, and is hopeful.”

Linda Fisher (my aunt 🙂 ), tutor to students with difficult life situations:

“This time helps me get through the day and helps me with those families whose homes I enter each day.”

“The most obvious benefit of spending time alone in prayer and Bible study is strengthening my relationship with God. No relationship can be sustained or flourish without time spent together. I’ve found this to be so true in my relationship with God. Beyond that, it’s growing as a Christian to have strength to deal with what the world throws at me (Eph. 6:10-18). Without that daily alone time for worship and edification, my spirit would grow weak and soon my mind and flesh would follow. One of my favorite quotes is from Corrie Ten Boom: “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” If it’s the latter, you may find when you need it most, your prayer life has become flat and ineffective. And one of the most important results from prayer is our effectiveness in ministry. I cannot be effective in encouraging others in their Christian walk, if I’m not in tune with my Savior.”

“My husband and I have been married nearly 10 years and we have been blessed with 3 incredible kids!After my youngest was born, things started to fall apart. The stress of having 3 young kids was more than I could handle. I was often frustrated and angry. And I yelled… a lot. I hated what I became and that led to guilt and then depression. I struggled for about a year. Those were very dark days. I withdrew from everyone and I pretty much stopped going to church.I finally reached the point where I just couldn’t take it anymore. My family deserved more than I was giving them. My doctor gave me a prescription for anti-depressants. But given my family history, I couldn’t bring myself to fill it. I fasted and prayed and searched the Bible for an answer, for something, anything to give me hope.

I found it in Psalm 1:“Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.”

That was a picture of what I wanted my life to be. So I dug into the Word. I made spending time with God a priority, which was something I hadn’t done in a while. Nothing happened immediately, but rather day by day, He proved Himself faithful. The depression disappeared and I quickly learned that His grace truly is sufficient for all my needs.”

“Unfortunately many of us neglect our time in prayer which is the water that makes us grow spiritually. As we spend time in the word, God speaks to us, and during times of prayer God continues to speak to our hearts.Each day as we surrender our life to God, He gives us what we need for that day. We receive wisdom on what we need to do, and He opens our hearts and minds to help others.There are days when I neglected to spend time in prayer, because I did not wake up early enough to pray. I actually feel more anxious on those days. I am easily irritated and bothered by people or circumstances.”

“Spending time with God through prayer is life giving. It’s when I DON’T do it, the list begins. Things go badly, my peace is absent, my focus is distorted and my heart can go from loving to wicked quickly. That time with God is an antidote to the stressors of life.”

Real people. Real change. A Real relationship.

Do you want to see this type of victory and change in your life? Is there something you’re struggling with that you can’t seem to get through? Talk to Jesus about it. Right now.Get into His Word and find out what He has to say about it. Every day. It takes time and patience, but hang in there! God has promised over and over that He hears the cries of those who call to Him and rewards those who seek Him. Don’t forget, though, spending time with God isn’t a magic formula for a perfect life; it’s a rock-solid foundation that will bear you up even when everything around you is shifting sand. As with any relationship, it takes time and consistent effort to see growth in your walk with God, but be assured: you will grow.

If you don’t have a regular time set to spend in Bible study and prayer, choose one now. Write it on your calendar like you would any other appointment, and then keep it! Today could be the start of your journey to a deeper walk with your Savior. How exciting is that!

If there’s anything I can do to help you on your journey or any way you would like me to pray for you, feel free to jot me a note in the comments! I would love to hear from you.

“Let us strive to know the LORD.
His appearance is as sure as the dawn.
He will come to us like the rain,
like the spring showers that water the land. ”
Hosea 6:3